never had a chicken before...

[bebedechocolate]

I have never had a chicken before. Today someone brought in a chick to the vet clinic I work at and I brought it home until we can find a home for it. Anyway, the vet gave me food that he can eat and told me to put in a warm water bottle or a rice sock in to keep him warm. Is there anything else i need to be doing? He is having some red mucousy poop, is that stress or do I need to get some medication for him? Also, do they constantly cheep? I thought they only did that when they were hungry but this one is cheeping ALOT.

 

[speckledhen]

He's cold. You really need a heat lamp or a regular light bulb over him. Chicks need about 95 degrees for the first week or so. The red poop sounds like cocci, which needs Amprolium meds.

 

[bebedechocolate]

So if i put a lamp near the cage is that enough? As for cocci, what is teh generic name for the drug you suggested? i can get some from work I just need to know the generic name. Thanks!

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

terrimycin is what i use 1 teaspoon to 1 gallon of water i use it for 7 days keep it fresh

 

[tiffanyh]

bebedechoc--your thinking Albon, youll want to get him on that and then he'll need to be on medicated food after that treats for cocci long term. Albon is usually 3 to consec. days. Youll have to double check the dosage, the smallest I have treated for is teeny tiny kittens! (Im a CVT)

 

[Chelly]

How about a mirror or a stuffed toy - he might be a little lonely as well.
Good luck and let us know when you decide to keep him or her!

 

[birdlover]

Don't forget to give him/her water!

Solo chicks love to be held and snuggled. I would suggest doing that as much as you can/want. Good luck!

Ellen

 

[silkiechicken]

Quote:
Put it over the cage so that it can shine where he can go and sit. Any feed store should have a bottle of amprolium or sulmet. I think amprolium is the generic name for it... it's amprolium. As for sulmet it is Sodium Sulfamethazine. That works too. Just have to read the directions on the bottle.

 

[chickbea]

Everyone else has pretty much said it all. He is crying all the time because he is cold and lonely. How close you place the heat lamp depends on how old he is. If you don't know his age, gauge his needs by seeing where he goes in relation to the lamp. If he goes as far away from it as he can, it is too close. If he is right under it but still not happy, it is too far away.
Once I had a single lonely chick for a couple of days, and I wore a hooded sweatshirt around backwards with the chick riding in the hood. She loved it and never made a peep!

 

[bebedechocolate]

thanks everyone! i have the lamp over one side of the cage and he sits kind of in the middle, not right under but not far away either. he is quieter now, i have a sock filled with rice in with him and i caught him snuggling with it. i found a home for him, he is going tomorrow. the family has meds and experience with chicks, they currently have two chicks living inside.

thanks for everyone's help. you guys rock!